11/09/2011
Representatives of faculty and student groups at SUNY Cortland will offer a teach-in on the subject of a newer form of natural gas drilling that is likely coming to Upstate New York, on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the College.
The lecture, called “Don’t Drink The Water? Teach-In on Hydrofracking and the SGEIS,” will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Sperry Center, Room 105.
Sponsored by the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), the Environmental Justice Committee of the Center for Gender and Intercultural Studies, and the Education Club, the event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Amanda Carpenter, the NYPIRG project coordinator at SUNY Cortland, will explain the terminology and the review process used with respect to the natural gas mining process called hydraulic fracturing, also known as “hydrofracking.” The Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS), which is the New York state draft regulations of this industry, is being considered by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Students will give brief presentations or dramatizations reflecting a range of perspectives on gas drilling issues related to economics as well as health and safety concerns.
“Some will claim that drilling is safe and will bring much-needed jobs and prosperity to the Southern Tier and Central New York, while others will challenge these claims,” said organizer Sheila Cohen, a SUNY Cortland professor emerita of literacy. “NYPIRG members will present preliminary research on issues that may directly impact students at the College.”
Audience members will be encouraged to become active in voicing their opinions about hydrofracking by writing their comments to the SGEIS; creating slogans and t-shirts; relaying concerns to their elected officials at the local, state and national levels; networking with activists; and sharing information with relatives and friends.
The organizers of the teach-in also will share websites for learning more about hydrofracking, the SGEIS review process, steps for taking action, DEC hearings and networking.
“No matter what level of knowledge you have about hydrofracking, you will find this event enlightening as well as enjoyable,” Cohen said. “Join us to learn about and become involved in one of the most critical issues of our time.”
Organizing committee members for this event include: Carpenter; Cohen; John Chodkowski, a NYPIRG member; Sarah Hobson, assistant professor of English; Karen Hempson, lecturer in childhood/early childhood education; Linda Lavine, associate professor of psychology; and Kathryn Russell, professor and chair of philosophy.
For more information, contact Cohen or Carpenter.
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| This photo of natural gas drilling was taken in August 2009 by attorney Helen Slottje for www.shaleshock.org. |